We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Jenkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Andrea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My first job with b2b sales was years ago. I started working for the FOP lodge, Sherriff’s support divisions and helping to raise money for them through ad space sales in the annual Country Spectacular show. I did this on and off for years, but didn’t really realize my talent for b2b sales until the beginning of this year.
I started working fulltime for the Allegan County News as a sales person and social media manager. I quickly became an ad designer for my clients, hiring manager & trained new employees, I was the sales person on 4 County papers, journalist- while still running the social media accounts and ad sales.
In the 6 month’s I worked there, I quickly learned how much I loved doing ad sales & how good I am at it.
In late June, I ended up getting lock jaw from my wisdom teeth & needed time off from work- my boss didn’t like that I needed time off for this (I had never taken a day off prior)
He fired me. I had my surgery, recovered and a friend of mine said “You should make a mobile app”
From there I sat down, planned it all out, Google searched what it would take to make one & I did.
I launched my own mobile app August 4th 2023, and had 61,000 plus app downloads.
I reached out to former clients, they were very interested. Sadly, newspapers are dying and a mobile app is more modern with more outreach.
Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I dabble in everything. I started modeling in 2009. I became a YouTuber in 2013.
I won best screenplay in 2019. I made it to quarterfinals in 2020 and 2021 in the global Miss Jetset competition, beating 80,000 models. I have been published for modeling in over 50 magazines and for my writing in over 25.
In 2021 I wrote and recorded my first song “Royaltea” and this year I won Michigan’s best of the west “Best solo artist”
I am currently making more music, writing my first novel, running my own advertising agency, mobile app, President of marketing for the West Michigan Sentinels hockey team & raising my five children, and CEO of West Michigan Media LLC.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I give props to my former job. Also, being honest, consistent & relatable to clients is a must. We are all just people. I am no better than anyone else and I treat my clients like an old friend.
Don’t use a robotic voice. Don’t read your pitch from a piece of paper. Memorize it & mean what you’re saying. People can read right through that type of thing. Know that it is okay if you don’t like sales, as with anything- not everyone enjoys it or Is “good” at it.
Having a natural knack for networking helps as well!
I wanted to start my mobile app here locally. But I plan to take it National within the year.
We have exclusive TV shows that are launching soon, free e-books, events, a good reads section from local residents that submit articles.
More recently, I started selling commercial ad space during our commericals, a monthly e-magazine along with our ad space & annual print guidebook.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Mostly emails. Business owners are too busy to sit and chat on the phone. But I do still follow up and check in with a phone call.
My advice to other businesses; Advertise. The Pandemic changed so much for all of us individually; businesses included. Most people say “I can just post my business in a local sale or informed group” & I see little to no engagement on those posts. If you’re not willing to invest in your own company- why should anyone else? West Michigan Media llc has a guaranteed 90,000+ outreach! (Free to download on Apple & Google play!)
Thank you to our sponsors: Allegan Credit Union, Jerry’s Body Shop, Westside Service, Kam Plastics, Gerald R. Ford FOP lodge #97, & Just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.instagram.com/andrealynnejenkins
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/westmichigan.media
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094024567534&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: On Google Play & Apple: West Michigan Media
Image Credits
Photographer: Amerie Naber